Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) hosts traveling celebration of the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 8, 2010

Contact: Susan Lindsey

Communications Associate

LOUISVILLE, Ky.

“On Being A Good Neighbor” is the theme of the 2010 Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration planned from 1 to 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 15. The public is invited to join in the celebration.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Office of Cultural Proficiency, in collaboration with other PC(USA) offices, has planned this community event. It will start with a short worship service at the Presbyterian Center, 100 Witherspoon St., followed by a group walk to two locations of significance to reflect on Louisville's involvement with the Underground Railroad, immigrant activism and faith in community.

The first stop will be near the Ohio River at Waterfront Park where Dr. Blaine Hudson, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and associate professor of Pan-African studies at the University of Louisville, will offer a reflection on Louisville’s Underground Railroad. Blaine is the author of two books on the Underground Railroad: Encyclopedia of the Underground Railroad and Fugitive Slaves and the Underground Railroad in the Kentucky Borderland.

The celebration will then proceed to the Mid-Kentucky Presbytery office, 425 S. Second St., where Edgar Mansilla, executive director of the Americana Community Center, will reflect on issues related to immigration. The Americana serves immigrants in the southern United States. Betty Meadows, the general presbyter, will also discuss the presbytery’s initiative involving African American and Hispanic/Latino ministries. The event will conclude at the presbytery office, with the hope that the journey will inspire participants to be good neighbors to those both near and far.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) comprises 2.2 million members in more than 10,000 congregations, answering Christ’s call to mission and ministry throughout the U.S. and the world.